A basic concept I would like to explore now is the difference between saints of God and unbelievers in regard to sin as well as the similarities in consequences. I would venture to say that the TRUST issue and lack thereof is a trap many true followers of the Lord often fall into. This causes self justification of actions as we can see from a cursury survey of the sins such as Abraham announcing that his wife was his sister and the same sort of behavior from Isaac if I remember correctly. This can be seen also with the Hagar incident; a repeated theme of someone heeding their wife's counsel rather than trusting God and the disasterous long term ramifications which we see even today in the fate of nations and their descendants. Again we can look to God's great disdain with David taking the census to see how great his army was in numbers; something earlier history in Israel should have warned against such as with Gideon winning battles with 300 men rather than many times that according to God's express wishes.
God disciplines His own and we are not going to have different results as to repercussions in this life with the consequences of sin. David was a man after God's own heart but he messed up big time with Bathsheeba; and this resulted in him being a man of war unnecessarily and ultimately not being allowed to build the Temple. Solomon his son did (ironically the child of Bathsheeba); but due to his own multiplication of riches and wives which God warned him against Israel would from there on be in decline and never have such a dynasty of kings again. It would seem Solomon in Ecclesiastes demonstrates he learned his lesson and indeed was saved although some argue about that. David was saved as well but as the Psalms indicate his sins weighed heavily on his mind; as it should for anyone who wants to please the Lord in humble service.
I will take time now to meditate on His lovingkindness until another day for saving a wretch-me.
Sins and their effect Part 2: Further discussion of Adam and Eve
Some time ago I commented on the fact that since Adam and Eve are NOT mentioned in the "hall of fame" in Hebrews 11 there is no guarantee they truly were saved. That is a mind boggling thought since they were created without sin and were the original human beings we all are descended from biologically. I am not dogmatically saying they weren't saved as Eve gave God credit at least for Seth being born after Cain murdered his brother Abel. But they certainly weren't noteworthy for anything which is something to consider since they lived almost as long as Noah.
What left us was a true paradise on earth once sin came into the picture; not to mention living forever in a sinless state. Knowing how sin operates it is a fool's dream to think that somehow if Adam and Eve hadn't fallen we could remain in such a condition because all of us have potential to act out on sin who are born to natural man. So in a sense the sin nature we all inherited from Adam; but Adam still had potential to sin which of course we will not have if redeemed and Born Again. The opposite is true for unredeemed men as in this life and the next they cannot be removed from being in such a condition.
Whew. This is getting serious already. Let us go back to the definitions here of sin.
I discussed in my last posting the concepts of sin being acts of commission and omission. Going back to the childhood analogy
we can look at Romans 7:9 and see how it appears we are not held responsible for our nature of sin until we act on it and deliberately rebel against God at a certain age. In this lifetime we are in a sort of "probation" and consequences start small and increase as the ravages of age and the depths of our depravity metastasize. I believe God has predetermined a set number to be redeemed; but He gives out multiple warnings as final judgment approaches. We are reminded of Genesis 4:7 and God's warning to Cain
Sins. The beginning and trying to assess why God allowed it in the first place.
I will start this posting with a human vantage point for a different perspective on the sacrificial love of God through His atonement.
For those of us who have parents that have any vestige of characteristics of a human being we tend to think about the significant events as a child in regard to playing ball with them; birthdays and other celebrations and basically what we are getting out of them for ourselves. Once we are older if we ourselves have any true morals we realize that their value stems from what they do the vast majority of time whether working a job to provide for the family or staying at home and all the discipline and work involved in rearing a child. In short we learn to sacrifice ourselves after our early years being protected from such efforts and essentially living in a bubble (although the world more and more often is intruding on that these days).
As to an earlier post from the other day and my discussion warning those who have immediate joy but no root in themselves I am fairly confident to say that those who meditate on Christ's sufferings as well as His glorification as their motivation for worship rather than some emotional high they are getting from their religious experience are more than likely those truly saved.
When Christ was alive Satan had no power over Him but in God's plan he did have humans used to do Satan's bidding as there were no coincidences in events leading to the cross it was all prophesied and planned to redeem His children from sin and death.
Now going back to Adam and Eve we see a similar sort of innocence as with children today (who are able to grow up absent from horrors of starvation; war; pestilence and abuse). Sadly that is likely a minority of maybe 20 percent of kids worldwide if I were to estimate; taking into regard how many abortions occur each year.
The first sin brought the promised punishment of death eventually.
Introduction: This promises to be a lengthy dialogue although I have just entertained the idea. What needs to be emphasized along with the seriousness of sin is how God's grace indeed is greater and the cross has freed us forever from the effects and ultimately any potential to sin again once we are in our glorified state.
There are a few such as my dad who don't believe in the concept of sin; although he has his own strange set of beliefs in some supreme being I would venture to say that it is a position most atheists would uphold as well although for some reason we don't hear much about it. We do hear from those who are from a more New Age standpoint that argue we all have some good and bad in us and are just as nebulous therefore regarding consequences for certain actions which all nations have upheld and when they rejected them they ceased to exist (such as the Roman and other world empires).
Here are some core concepts I would like to explore.
1. Laundry list of "sins" in regard to external actions that are transgressions of God's law in the most common mindset that of commission and then exploring acts of omission (not doing what we should be doing) with scriptural backing
2. The real cause: our sin NATURE and implications of this throughout our lifetime on earth this side of the Rapture/Resurrection
3. Sins of others and how they affect us; and God's trials and tests for His people in regard to these occurrences.
4. Sins of Lucifer and all his progeny of spirit beings
5. Sins of the world system
6. God's everlasting punishment for sin
This series will not be enjoyable. It is deemed necessary as I see it because not only of major denial of basic doctrines as repentance today but also the fact that the church sadly likes to blather on as the world does griping about evils of politics and others rather than focusing on themselves and living a life of Holiness to be part of the solution
We are in an unprecedented drought in terms of length where I live in Eastern PA and in fact much of the country. This is another year when tropical systems inundated some areas but were the only source of substantial rainfall in most areas.
Truly this is one of many last days signs whether we ascribe to current events as being the "birth pangs" of scripture or they are precursors. What is different now as I see it eschatologically is the fact that prayer can alter things in regard to drought as well as war; famine and other plagues which are so often in conjunction with each other during judgment.
Judgment begins with the house of God ( 1 Peter 4:17). Once again the subject of prayer as part of worship as seen from the example of Acts 2 as to the early church (foundations of the Word of God; Fellowship; Communion and Prayer were discussed).
It seems from what I have observed lately that there is little effort or even awareness of these type issues in prayers of many believers today. We can't simply hold to doctrinal truths without having compassion as Jesus does. To preach against injustice and to grieve for the effects of sins of a fallen world shouldn't have to mean we are compromising the truth to promote an agenda either.
It was once again brought up before we left the service that we are entering a hostile world. We should not only try to avoid places that attempt to make church more appealing to the world but also see too positive a reception as a warning sign. I heard something on K-Love the other day about someone who was witnessed to and wasn't interested but was a few years later.
Although seeing people enthusiastic about the Lord isn't something we should attempt to throw cold water on; we need to heed to verses such as ( Matt. 13:21). Discipleship is a necessary part of the Great Commission; notice "winning souls to Christ" isn't mentioned. God does the conversion; we deliver the message.
You did not come across as saying a Jew had to stop being a Jew or a Gentile had to become a Jew. I guess I was not clear on this, At Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent as promised it was only the Jews who first received it and the beginning of the Church was all Jewish. To the Jew first, and also to the Greek, Romans 1:16. Being Jewish after they accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah and received the Holy Spirit, they continued in Jewish ways keeping the feasts and the Sabbaths and worship at the temple, even Paul after Jesus called him.
After Jesus called Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles there were contentions as we see in Galatians 2 between Peter, James, and Paul and it continued. Maybe I am looking too deep but I do not hear this discussed, is this part of making the Jews jealous, Romans 11:11. I feel some things are overlooked that could help when talking to a Jewish person about Jesus.
I continue to keep you and your parents in prayer. I can tell that you are a bit weary of the effects of this situation and so I pray for God to strengthen you and uphold you today. May you be given much joy in the midst of this difficult situation as you seek God's will daily-even moment by moment-(as this is truly all we have as far as opportunities to love and serve God and others).
I look forward to hearing from you soon. I am sorry that you have had a split with your friend. That is always sad and weighs on us.
I prefer the Franz family rendition along with many other songs they perform.
I mention this because of my friend in Pittsburgh who talked with me last night; confirming along with others that it is God's will for me to be here in this situation at home. He asked me if I'm "suffering" in this situation as it being a sign of God's will.
As with anything else if our own weaknesses faults and sins are causing needless pain it is better to avoid that kind of trial.
The lyrics here and the song itself kind of say it all; as we want to get out of here but I know; as a woman of faith you will probably want to exhort me to be patient; not having an "escapism" mentality; etc.
What I am saying; I guess is that the hope of eternal glory as Paul stated in immense trials beyond anything I have ever experienced that the eternal weight of glory far surpasses our earthly trials. There is some consolation in areas of my life where I have endured decades of struggle that there will be at last recognition for things no one knows; and things I was unjustly accused of; times I was robbed; mistreated; etc. It is only worth it for His glory; I'll leave it to others to be icons such as Mother Theresa.
Part of my struggle was with a brother close to my aforementioned friend who had a bitter departure after visiting him this summer over a doctrinal matter. I'm praying forhim
Acts 17:2 - And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
In Verse 2, it tells us that according to Paul's custom that he went in unto the Jews in the synagogue, and for three Sabbath days, he was reasoning with them.
The English text says "reasoned," but it is actually in the Imperfect Tense in the Greek. He continually reasoned with them from out of the scriptures.
Again, the scriptures are always emphasized for us that the ministry increased and prospered because of the ministry through God's word.
Acts 17:4 - And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
It says some of them believed. Please allow me to share with you some technical points about the translation. It's not the normal word for believe. It is literally the word persuasion.
And some of them were persuaded, and consorted, or joined themselves with Paul and Silas;
So, Luke is emphasizing that Paul ministered from out of the Old Testament scriptures, and he was persuasive. He has persuaded them to believe, and they joined themselves with Paul and Silas;
and of the devout Greeks.
The word devout means worshipping, and it is another name for a Gentile who has joined up with a Jewish person, and they are worshipping together, a great multitude of devout Greeks, and of the chief women, chief meaning leaders of the women, not a few. That's the Greek way of saying many of them!
Acts 15:38 - But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
But Paul thought, and that is in the Imperfect Tense. Paul was continually thinking this is not good to take him with them, who departed, and departed here means defection in Greek. So, Paul and Barnabas are really going nose to nose here.
I mean Paul is flat out calling John Mark a deserter, not just somebody who went home. He says, it's not good to take him. He defected last time from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
And that's what Paul is looking at, is that he went through Cyprus with us through the good time, but when it came to the hard times, he wanted to turn around and go back.
Acts 16:16 - And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, and in the Greek text, it is called the spirit of python, a snake! It's the spirit of python.
In Greek mythology, Apollos won a victory over his enemy and in his celebration, he decided to embed himself into a body of a python.
So, they always felt that a demonic spirit, a pythonic spirit could indwell someone, and even though it is a snake, things could come out well in the human.
Check this out: A spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by fortune telling: That's where it comes from.
But please note, because you know the spirits not going to stay there, right? With Paul there? Notice that once the demonic spirit's cast out, she can't tell fortunes anymore, which means with the demonic spirit, she can tell people's fortunes. She was good at it!
Satan can give people the ability whether it is generalized or not to see in the future.
Acts 15:19 - Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
You see the word to? It is literally upon in the Greek text. They are not turning to the Lord, they are turning upon Him. They are totally entrusting their lives upon the Lord.
Acts 15:24 - Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
The word souls is PSUCHE which is also translated minds. Who have subverted or troubled your minds, saying, you must be circumcised, and keep the law. Now here is something for you to underline: to whom we gave no such commandment.
Everybody that went out from Jerusalem and preached that you have to keep the law, they did not have the approval of the apostles in Jerusalem. Nor did they send them out. They went out on their own when they heard the Gentiles were being saved!
Acts 15:29 - That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
That little word (do) in the phrase "do well" is the Greek word PRASSO. It's not do. It is the word practice. If you make this your lifestyle, you'll do well.
And then it says "Fare ye well." It literally means may you prosper spiritually in these things.
Acts 15:5 - But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed. That's one word. It is in the Perfect Tense. It says those from out of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, which means that they had believed now for a long time.
It almost sounds like a contradiction. How can a Pharisee be a believer? But you see, that's the problem! They saw the truth, they received Jesus Christ as Messiah, but they couldn't let go of the old religion. They combined them. Many people do this today. Some have a tough time following the Lord because they can't leave the old religious system, or they try to combine it.
Acts 15:8 - And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
That little term "knows the hearts" is all one word in Greek. It is "heart-knower." In the Greek, it is in the Attributive Position. It's the heart-knower God.
Those are His attributes and characteristics. He knows everybody's heart. So, first of all, it is Gods choice. Secondly, it is based on God knowing everybody's heart.
What did this God the heart-knower do? He gave confirmation. He bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did unto us.
God's testimony was that He gave them the Holy Spirit. And all the way through the book of Acts, up until this time, we have seen that that has been the testimony. God has given them the Holy Spirit like He has given us they would say.
They didn't talk about their beliefs. They didn't talk about their doctrines. They talked about the one element that is the actual experience that saves someone, being born again.
It's not just belief. It's not just faith. It is not just correct doctrine, but rather being born of the Spirit of God, where Christ comes to live within.
Acts 15:2 - When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation. Dissension means resistance. And the Greek word for disputation is the word questioning.
So, there was resistance, and there was questioning, trying to bring the truth out with these people.
They determined, literally they ordained or appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and to the elders about this question.
Acts 15:4 - And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church. The word received in the Greek is literally the word welcomed.
Here comes Paul and Barnabas and the delegation from Antioch, and the church with "open arms" receives them. Even if they don't agree with them, that was their attitude towards them.
But notice that last little phrase "what God had done with them." That is the literal translation. It is not through them. It is with them. It denotes that they basically put their lives in the Lord's hands and said do with us as you please.
Always nice to hear from you! I would be happy to share my thoughts on this. My understanding is that if a Jew decided to leave Judaism to follow Christ, he would still be considered a Jew. The same would be true for a Gentile. If a Gentile decided to convert to Judaism, he would still be a Gentile. I hope that I didn't come across as saying that a Jew had to stop being a Jew or that a Gentile had to become a Jew. That was not the message I was sharing. I was presenting the fact that the Judaizers were coming in and spreading false teaching and telling the believers that they had to become a Jew and follow Jewish law in order to be saved. According to these legalist Judaizers, faith in Christ alone was not sufficient for salvation. They said you had to be circumcised (fleshly) and follow Jewish law to be saved. But no, I definitely did not say that a Jew who was a believer had to stop being a Jew or that a Gentile had to become a Jew. However, for a Jew to follow Christ, they had to renounce Judaism. A person cannot continue to be a strict follower of Jewish law and also follow Christ. The two do not mix!
Thanks again for following along in these studies. May we all continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through a continuous study of His word.
Thanks, brother, as we see through the New Testament Peter and James butting heads with Paul as we see in Acts 15, Paul even circumcised Timothy but he had a Jewish mother. We see before this when Peter came back and told the leaders in Jerusalem about how Cornelius and his family received the Holy Spirit, and he ate with them and they scorned him.
In Acts 15:19-21 James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, made the final decision on whether the Gentiles should be circumcised. The word sentence is Greek krino which means judge by making a judgment. This verdict applied only to these Gentile believers, and the Gentiles could go to the synagogues to hear the word read. This verdict did not apply to the Jews who were followers of Jesus not to say salvation is by works but is only by grace are we saved through faith, it is the gift of God: not of works, Ephesians 2:8-9.
I know this is a deep subject, but I do not see where the Jews who were believers in Jesus were to stop being Jews same as the Gentiles were not to become Jews. Any thoughts on this?
I am glad so many come here asking for prayer. It is an honor for me to be part of what God is doing here as He hears our prayers and calls others to pray for the requests here. He will answer each request in the best way according to His will and purpose.
I hope matters are proceeding well concerning your parents. I continue to pray for you and them.
And you are right, there has not been much topical discussion here lately with the exception of Jesse's postings and that of Bennymjke. I know that God does direct all of creation sovereignly and that He will bring to this forum what He wishes according to the timing He determines. I do think that it may be a good thing for some of us to make notes and list possible topics we may wish to be discussed and lay them before the Lord. We can think over these topics over days and not just as an immediate response to what someone posts. We should definitely pray for God to reveal to us what or how we are to introduce as a topic of discussion. I am confident that God is using this forum for so many good things and we are building each other up daily in our participation. Blessings to you tonight. Talk with you tomorrow.
Surveying this page for the last 24 hours or so there is mostly prayer requests as contrasted with most times when there are commentaries on subjects with threads as the most common posting. I can relate to the individual with pressures taking care of his mom since both my parents are in their nineties; one physically in bad health and the other with dementia. It seems with many other prayers there are comments of witchcraft or general exhaustion because of the times we are living in. I would disagree with the statement that we are in the Tribulation however yet.
The desire for revival must be placed in balance with the understanding as others have brought out of the state of the church today. It is hard for those who are the remnant faithfully witnessing today to find a church for someone to attend quite often; as many who are faithful witnessing have a home church which in many cases may be the best thing today if after genuine effort no suitable place can be found with correct doctrine and showing love for the saints which the Lord expects of His people in fellowship.
It is HIS church; of course not our own invention and He stands at the door and knocks ( Rev. 3:20). This would be written to the individual in the lukewarm church as well as to anyone heeding the call of His soon return. The gates of hell cannot prevail against His true people ( Matt. 16:18). These days it is evident who is "on fire" in the Lord and who isn't; just listen to conversations before a church service to confirm that. I actually told a sister in the Lord that my struggles and her prayers along with that of a few others was actually making them stronger and to their benefit. We should be fighting spiritual warfare in our individual lives avoiding sin as well as pleading for others. If we seek Him we will find the victory as He has overcome the world. We do well to remember that fact because we are in the time of great falling away and apostacy.
Now, if you will trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour, pray this simple prayer from your heart:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I deserve to pay my own sin debt, but I do believe that You died for my sins and to pay the debt that I owe. Today, the best I know how, I trust You as my Saviour. I will depend on You from this moment on for my salvation. Amen.
Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, Do not let the lying devil tell you got plenty of time. Today, is the time to ask the Lord, right now today.. Now, if you will trust Jesus Christ as your Savior, pray this simple prayer from your heart:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I deserve to pay my own sin debt, but I do believe that You died for me to pay the debt that I owe. Today, the best I know how I trust You as my Savior. I will depend on You from this moment on for my salvation. Amen. Don't let the devil trick you out of eternity. he is a liar!!!!!!
The devil hates God so much, that he is trying to get every soul to go to HELL !!! Because that is where the devil will spend all eternity. God, The Lord loves you. Whosoever calls on the Lord shall be saved!!! Put your name were it says Whosoever, that is you and me and all the rest that called on the Lord. We all got save the same way...
[ COME LORD JESUS]
God loves you so much, God sent His only begotten son to be the perfect sacrifice, righteousness sacrifice, righteousness Blood. To get saved by. There is no other way.
If your answer is anything other than, "Yes I'm absolutely certain that my sins are forgiven and that Heaven will be my home," then this important message is just for you. The Bible teaches that you need to know and believe these things to settle this matter of your eternal destination:
You must accept that you are a sinner.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" ( Romans 3:23). No one is exempt from this indictment. Everyone has sinned. Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." No one is perfect and no one can live up to God's perfect standard. We are sinners by nature.
You must accept that as a sinner you owe a penalty.
"For the wages of sin is death" ( Romans 6:23a). Because of our sin we owe a debt. This debt is a spiritual death or separation from God in the lake of fire known as Hell. Hell is not a figment of someone's imagination or only a figurative term. Hell is very real. It is a literal burning place. It's not a place where you go because your friends will be there and you want to have a good time. It is a dark, lonely, seething, burning place, and it never ends. It continues to burn for all time.
The worst part is, there is nothing you or I can do on our own to avoid it. Outside of Jesus, it is our final destination. If you are depending on your church membership to get you to Heaven, beware; it's not enough. If you pray a lot hoping to get to Heaven, don't depend on that; it's not enough either. Even if you give a lot of money to a church, it's not enough to gain Heaven. The word "believe" means to trust, to depend on, to rely on. To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ means that you accept the fact that you are a sinner, that as a sinner you owe the sin penalty, and that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and arose again on the third day to pay the debt you owe.
The word of God is the sword of the Spirit. We're told in Hebrews 4:12 that this sword is alive, active, and sharper than any sword you can imagine. This sword divides soul and spirit and it can judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. That's our Bible.
The sword of the Lord in the Bible is a symbolic representation of God's Word and the final battle against evil
The sword is a symbol of power, protection, authority, strength, and courage. The idea of the sword of the Spirit is that the Bible is a weapon to defend against evil and to demolish strongholds of error and falsehood.
Revelation 19:15
Describes the returning King of kings and Lord of lords using the sword of the Lord to "strike down the nations"
Acts 4:12
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
As we look at what is going on in the world and in the churches and congregations today, what do we see?
We see a world where sin, i.e. disobedience to God's law, is and has been multiplying as never before.
We see churches and congregations exhibiting a love for the world as the worship service has become a place for entertainment. And an abandonment of the Bible, the Word of God, as being the ultimate authority; where the church itself is the authority and not the Bible. We see a gospel being proclaimed where man is in control of their salvation and not God alonea do-it-yourself gospel where Christ has done His part and now it's up to us.
So where are we in God's time table of His plan for the churches and the world?
We are, I believe, living in the period describe in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, the Great Tribulation. A period where God's judgment has fallen upon the churches as we read in 1 Peter 4:17 and 2Thessalonians 2:1-12. And where God is preparing the world for His return on the clouds of glory at the Last Day.
It is also a time where God is reveling truth from His Word, the Bible, that has been hidden in times past as we read in Daniel 9 and Daniel 12.
Daniel 12:9 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
But God, in this time, is saving a "great multitude" as we read in Revelation 7:9. Ezekiel 36:24-38, Jeremiah 29, Jeremiah 30 and many other passages which are pictures of God's salvation during this time.
If there were ever a time where we should be searching the scriptures and praying that God in His mercy might lead us into truth, this is that time.
But we must search the scriptures using the principles that God lays down in His Word. A key principle is that Christ is the author of the entire Bible and that He "spoke in parables, and without a parable spake He not" Matthew 13:34 and Mark 4:34.
May God in His mercy open our spiritual ears as we search the scriptures.
Acts 14:23 - And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
The word "commended" is actually a banking term. It means to make a deposit in the bank. And the term "believed" is a Perfect Tense, speaking of the Lord upon whom they have believed.
So, they have been believers for quite some time. And what they were doing was they were saying we appointed elders. Now you are ready to have leaders in your church. You been walking with the Lord for a while now.
And they deposited, (those who had believed in the Lord, those who had trusted in the Lord), they deposited to the Lord and basically said "We're leaving, and we are committing you to Him.
Acts 15:1 - And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Verse 1 tells us that certain men came down from Judaea. That little phrase "from Judaea" tells us that these people came into town and presented themselves as officials, representatives of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is in Judaea. They were Jewish. They were legalists. And they come into town up in Antioch.
And secondly, they taught. But in the Greek text, it is an Imperfect Tense which means they were continuously teaching. This was a "campaign." It was a campaign where Judaizers came into Antioch, and they were continuously teaching one message.
And they were teaching the brethren, and they said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. That's what they were spreading. "You can believe in Jesus as Messiah all you want to, but if you're not circumcised"
And there's even some that went as far to say to keep the law, and you have to become a Jew. You have to become a Jew in order to be saved. You cannot be saved unless you're circumcised. That's what they were saying.
A basic concept I would like to explore now is the difference between saints of God and unbelievers in regard to sin as well as the similarities in consequences. I would venture to say that the TRUST issue and lack thereof is a trap many true followers of the Lord often fall into. This causes self justification of actions as we can see from a cursury survey of the sins such as Abraham announcing that his wife was his sister and the same sort of behavior from Isaac if I remember correctly. This can be seen also with the Hagar incident; a repeated theme of someone heeding their wife's counsel rather than trusting God and the disasterous long term ramifications which we see even today in the fate of nations and their descendants. Again we can look to God's great disdain with David taking the census to see how great his army was in numbers; something earlier history in Israel should have warned against such as with Gideon winning battles with 300 men rather than many times that according to God's express wishes.
God disciplines His own and we are not going to have different results as to repercussions in this life with the consequences of sin. David was a man after God's own heart but he messed up big time with Bathsheeba; and this resulted in him being a man of war unnecessarily and ultimately not being allowed to build the Temple. Solomon his son did (ironically the child of Bathsheeba); but due to his own multiplication of riches and wives which God warned him against Israel would from there on be in decline and never have such a dynasty of kings again. It would seem Solomon in Ecclesiastes demonstrates he learned his lesson and indeed was saved although some argue about that. David was saved as well but as the Psalms indicate his sins weighed heavily on his mind; as it should for anyone who wants to please the Lord in humble service.
I will take time now to meditate on His lovingkindness until another day for saving a wretch-me.
Some time ago I commented on the fact that since Adam and Eve are NOT mentioned in the "hall of fame" in Hebrews 11 there is no guarantee they truly were saved. That is a mind boggling thought since they were created without sin and were the original human beings we all are descended from biologically. I am not dogmatically saying they weren't saved as Eve gave God credit at least for Seth being born after Cain murdered his brother Abel. But they certainly weren't noteworthy for anything which is something to consider since they lived almost as long as Noah.
What left us was a true paradise on earth once sin came into the picture; not to mention living forever in a sinless state. Knowing how sin operates it is a fool's dream to think that somehow if Adam and Eve hadn't fallen we could remain in such a condition because all of us have potential to act out on sin who are born to natural man. So in a sense the sin nature we all inherited from Adam; but Adam still had potential to sin which of course we will not have if redeemed and Born Again. The opposite is true for unredeemed men as in this life and the next they cannot be removed from being in such a condition.
Whew. This is getting serious already. Let us go back to the definitions here of sin.
I discussed in my last posting the concepts of sin being acts of commission and omission. Going back to the childhood analogy
we can look at Romans 7:9 and see how it appears we are not held responsible for our nature of sin until we act on it and deliberately rebel against God at a certain age. In this lifetime we are in a sort of "probation" and consequences start small and increase as the ravages of age and the depths of our depravity metastasize. I believe God has predetermined a set number to be redeemed; but He gives out multiple warnings as final judgment approaches. We are reminded of Genesis 4:7 and God's warning to Cain
I will start this posting with a human vantage point for a different perspective on the sacrificial love of God through His atonement.
For those of us who have parents that have any vestige of characteristics of a human being we tend to think about the significant events as a child in regard to playing ball with them; birthdays and other celebrations and basically what we are getting out of them for ourselves. Once we are older if we ourselves have any true morals we realize that their value stems from what they do the vast majority of time whether working a job to provide for the family or staying at home and all the discipline and work involved in rearing a child. In short we learn to sacrifice ourselves after our early years being protected from such efforts and essentially living in a bubble (although the world more and more often is intruding on that these days).
As to an earlier post from the other day and my discussion warning those who have immediate joy but no root in themselves I am fairly confident to say that those who meditate on Christ's sufferings as well as His glorification as their motivation for worship rather than some emotional high they are getting from their religious experience are more than likely those truly saved.
When Christ was alive Satan had no power over Him but in God's plan he did have humans used to do Satan's bidding as there were no coincidences in events leading to the cross it was all prophesied and planned to redeem His children from sin and death.
Now going back to Adam and Eve we see a similar sort of innocence as with children today (who are able to grow up absent from horrors of starvation; war; pestilence and abuse). Sadly that is likely a minority of maybe 20 percent of kids worldwide if I were to estimate; taking into regard how many abortions occur each year.
The first sin brought the promised punishment of death eventually.
Introduction: This promises to be a lengthy dialogue although I have just entertained the idea. What needs to be emphasized along with the seriousness of sin is how God's grace indeed is greater and the cross has freed us forever from the effects and ultimately any potential to sin again once we are in our glorified state.
There are a few such as my dad who don't believe in the concept of sin; although he has his own strange set of beliefs in some supreme being I would venture to say that it is a position most atheists would uphold as well although for some reason we don't hear much about it. We do hear from those who are from a more New Age standpoint that argue we all have some good and bad in us and are just as nebulous therefore regarding consequences for certain actions which all nations have upheld and when they rejected them they ceased to exist (such as the Roman and other world empires).
Here are some core concepts I would like to explore.
1. Laundry list of "sins" in regard to external actions that are transgressions of God's law in the most common mindset that of commission and then exploring acts of omission (not doing what we should be doing) with scriptural backing
2. The real cause: our sin NATURE and implications of this throughout our lifetime on earth this side of the Rapture/Resurrection
3. Sins of others and how they affect us; and God's trials and tests for His people in regard to these occurrences.
4. Sins of Lucifer and all his progeny of spirit beings
5. Sins of the world system
6. God's everlasting punishment for sin
This series will not be enjoyable. It is deemed necessary as I see it because not only of major denial of basic doctrines as repentance today but also the fact that the church sadly likes to blather on as the world does griping about evils of politics and others rather than focusing on themselves and living a life of Holiness to be part of the solution
We are in an unprecedented drought in terms of length where I live in Eastern PA and in fact much of the country. This is another year when tropical systems inundated some areas but were the only source of substantial rainfall in most areas.
Truly this is one of many last days signs whether we ascribe to current events as being the "birth pangs" of scripture or they are precursors. What is different now as I see it eschatologically is the fact that prayer can alter things in regard to drought as well as war; famine and other plagues which are so often in conjunction with each other during judgment.
Judgment begins with the house of God ( 1 Peter 4:17). Once again the subject of prayer as part of worship as seen from the example of Acts 2 as to the early church (foundations of the Word of God; Fellowship; Communion and Prayer were discussed).
It seems from what I have observed lately that there is little effort or even awareness of these type issues in prayers of many believers today. We can't simply hold to doctrinal truths without having compassion as Jesus does. To preach against injustice and to grieve for the effects of sins of a fallen world shouldn't have to mean we are compromising the truth to promote an agenda either.
It was once again brought up before we left the service that we are entering a hostile world. We should not only try to avoid places that attempt to make church more appealing to the world but also see too positive a reception as a warning sign. I heard something on K-Love the other day about someone who was witnessed to and wasn't interested but was a few years later.
Although seeing people enthusiastic about the Lord isn't something we should attempt to throw cold water on; we need to heed to verses such as ( Matt. 13:21). Discipleship is a necessary part of the Great Commission; notice "winning souls to Christ" isn't mentioned. God does the conversion; we deliver the message.
You did not come across as saying a Jew had to stop being a Jew or a Gentile had to become a Jew. I guess I was not clear on this, At Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent as promised it was only the Jews who first received it and the beginning of the Church was all Jewish. To the Jew first, and also to the Greek, Romans 1:16. Being Jewish after they accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah and received the Holy Spirit, they continued in Jewish ways keeping the feasts and the Sabbaths and worship at the temple, even Paul after Jesus called him.
After Jesus called Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles there were contentions as we see in Galatians 2 between Peter, James, and Paul and it continued. Maybe I am looking too deep but I do not hear this discussed, is this part of making the Jews jealous, Romans 11:11. I feel some things are overlooked that could help when talking to a Jewish person about Jesus.
I hope this makes sense.
God bless,
RLW
I continue to keep you and your parents in prayer. I can tell that you are a bit weary of the effects of this situation and so I pray for God to strengthen you and uphold you today. May you be given much joy in the midst of this difficult situation as you seek God's will daily-even moment by moment-(as this is truly all we have as far as opportunities to love and serve God and others).
I look forward to hearing from you soon. I am sorry that you have had a split with your friend. That is always sad and weighs on us.
Talk About Suffering
Song by
Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice
Talk about suffering here below
And let's keep a-followin' Jesus
Talk about suffering here below
And let's keep a-lovin' Jesus
The gospel train is comin'
Now don't you want to go
And leave this world of sorrow
And troubles here below
Oh, can't you hear it father?
And don't you want to go
And leave this world of sorrow
And troubles here below
Talk about suffering here below
And let's keep a-followin' Jesus
Talk about suffering here below
And let's keep a-lovin' Jesus
Oh, can't you hear it mother?
Now don't you want to go
I prefer the Franz family rendition along with many other songs they perform.
I mention this because of my friend in Pittsburgh who talked with me last night; confirming along with others that it is God's will for me to be here in this situation at home. He asked me if I'm "suffering" in this situation as it being a sign of God's will.
As with anything else if our own weaknesses faults and sins are causing needless pain it is better to avoid that kind of trial.
The lyrics here and the song itself kind of say it all; as we want to get out of here but I know; as a woman of faith you will probably want to exhort me to be patient; not having an "escapism" mentality; etc.
What I am saying; I guess is that the hope of eternal glory as Paul stated in immense trials beyond anything I have ever experienced that the eternal weight of glory far surpasses our earthly trials. There is some consolation in areas of my life where I have endured decades of struggle that there will be at last recognition for things no one knows; and things I was unjustly accused of; times I was robbed; mistreated; etc. It is only worth it for His glory; I'll leave it to others to be icons such as Mother Theresa.
Part of my struggle was with a brother close to my aforementioned friend who had a bitter departure after visiting him this summer over a doctrinal matter. I'm praying forhim
Acts 17:2 - And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
In Verse 2, it tells us that according to Paul's custom that he went in unto the Jews in the synagogue, and for three Sabbath days, he was reasoning with them.
The English text says "reasoned," but it is actually in the Imperfect Tense in the Greek. He continually reasoned with them from out of the scriptures.
Again, the scriptures are always emphasized for us that the ministry increased and prospered because of the ministry through God's word.
Acts 17:4 - And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
It says some of them believed. Please allow me to share with you some technical points about the translation. It's not the normal word for believe. It is literally the word persuasion.
And some of them were persuaded, and consorted, or joined themselves with Paul and Silas;
So, Luke is emphasizing that Paul ministered from out of the Old Testament scriptures, and he was persuasive. He has persuaded them to believe, and they joined themselves with Paul and Silas;
and of the devout Greeks.
The word devout means worshipping, and it is another name for a Gentile who has joined up with a Jewish person, and they are worshipping together, a great multitude of devout Greeks, and of the chief women, chief meaning leaders of the women, not a few. That's the Greek way of saying many of them!
Acts 15:38 - But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
But Paul thought, and that is in the Imperfect Tense. Paul was continually thinking this is not good to take him with them, who departed, and departed here means defection in Greek. So, Paul and Barnabas are really going nose to nose here.
I mean Paul is flat out calling John Mark a deserter, not just somebody who went home. He says, it's not good to take him. He defected last time from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
And that's what Paul is looking at, is that he went through Cyprus with us through the good time, but when it came to the hard times, he wanted to turn around and go back.
Acts 16:16 - And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, and in the Greek text, it is called the spirit of python, a snake! It's the spirit of python.
In Greek mythology, Apollos won a victory over his enemy and in his celebration, he decided to embed himself into a body of a python.
So, they always felt that a demonic spirit, a pythonic spirit could indwell someone, and even though it is a snake, things could come out well in the human.
Check this out: A spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by fortune telling: That's where it comes from.
But please note, because you know the spirits not going to stay there, right? With Paul there? Notice that once the demonic spirit's cast out, she can't tell fortunes anymore, which means with the demonic spirit, she can tell people's fortunes. She was good at it!
Satan can give people the ability whether it is generalized or not to see in the future.
Acts 15:19 - Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
You see the word to? It is literally upon in the Greek text. They are not turning to the Lord, they are turning upon Him. They are totally entrusting their lives upon the Lord.
Acts 15:24 - Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
The word souls is PSUCHE which is also translated minds. Who have subverted or troubled your minds, saying, you must be circumcised, and keep the law. Now here is something for you to underline: to whom we gave no such commandment.
Everybody that went out from Jerusalem and preached that you have to keep the law, they did not have the approval of the apostles in Jerusalem. Nor did they send them out. They went out on their own when they heard the Gentiles were being saved!
Acts 15:29 - That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
That little word (do) in the phrase "do well" is the Greek word PRASSO. It's not do. It is the word practice. If you make this your lifestyle, you'll do well.
And then it says "Fare ye well." It literally means may you prosper spiritually in these things.
Acts 15:5 - But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed. That's one word. It is in the Perfect Tense. It says those from out of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, which means that they had believed now for a long time.
It almost sounds like a contradiction. How can a Pharisee be a believer? But you see, that's the problem! They saw the truth, they received Jesus Christ as Messiah, but they couldn't let go of the old religion. They combined them. Many people do this today. Some have a tough time following the Lord because they can't leave the old religious system, or they try to combine it.
Acts 15:8 - And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
That little term "knows the hearts" is all one word in Greek. It is "heart-knower." In the Greek, it is in the Attributive Position. It's the heart-knower God.
Those are His attributes and characteristics. He knows everybody's heart. So, first of all, it is Gods choice. Secondly, it is based on God knowing everybody's heart.
What did this God the heart-knower do? He gave confirmation. He bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did unto us.
God's testimony was that He gave them the Holy Spirit. And all the way through the book of Acts, up until this time, we have seen that that has been the testimony. God has given them the Holy Spirit like He has given us they would say.
They didn't talk about their beliefs. They didn't talk about their doctrines. They talked about the one element that is the actual experience that saves someone, being born again.
It's not just belief. It's not just faith. It is not just correct doctrine, but rather being born of the Spirit of God, where Christ comes to live within.
(Acts Part 36):
Acts 15:2 - When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation. Dissension means resistance. And the Greek word for disputation is the word questioning.
So, there was resistance, and there was questioning, trying to bring the truth out with these people.
They determined, literally they ordained or appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and to the elders about this question.
Acts 15:4 - And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church. The word received in the Greek is literally the word welcomed.
Here comes Paul and Barnabas and the delegation from Antioch, and the church with "open arms" receives them. Even if they don't agree with them, that was their attitude towards them.
But notice that last little phrase "what God had done with them." That is the literal translation. It is not through them. It is with them. It denotes that they basically put their lives in the Lord's hands and said do with us as you please.
Always nice to hear from you! I would be happy to share my thoughts on this. My understanding is that if a Jew decided to leave Judaism to follow Christ, he would still be considered a Jew. The same would be true for a Gentile. If a Gentile decided to convert to Judaism, he would still be a Gentile. I hope that I didn't come across as saying that a Jew had to stop being a Jew or that a Gentile had to become a Jew. That was not the message I was sharing. I was presenting the fact that the Judaizers were coming in and spreading false teaching and telling the believers that they had to become a Jew and follow Jewish law in order to be saved. According to these legalist Judaizers, faith in Christ alone was not sufficient for salvation. They said you had to be circumcised (fleshly) and follow Jewish law to be saved. But no, I definitely did not say that a Jew who was a believer had to stop being a Jew or that a Gentile had to become a Jew. However, for a Jew to follow Christ, they had to renounce Judaism. A person cannot continue to be a strict follower of Jewish law and also follow Christ. The two do not mix!
Thanks again for following along in these studies. May we all continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through a continuous study of His word.
Blessings!
Thanks, brother, as we see through the New Testament Peter and James butting heads with Paul as we see in Acts 15, Paul even circumcised Timothy but he had a Jewish mother. We see before this when Peter came back and told the leaders in Jerusalem about how Cornelius and his family received the Holy Spirit, and he ate with them and they scorned him.
In Acts 15:19-21 James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, made the final decision on whether the Gentiles should be circumcised. The word sentence is Greek krino which means judge by making a judgment. This verdict applied only to these Gentile believers, and the Gentiles could go to the synagogues to hear the word read. This verdict did not apply to the Jews who were followers of Jesus not to say salvation is by works but is only by grace are we saved through faith, it is the gift of God: not of works, Ephesians 2:8-9.
I know this is a deep subject, but I do not see where the Jews who were believers in Jesus were to stop being Jews same as the Gentiles were not to become Jews. Any thoughts on this?
God bless,
RLW
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3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Thank You LORD, for the salvation I have in Your Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
GOD to shine His face on all who call and worship Him in truth and in spirit.
May our nation be prayerful in CHRIST name as we go to the polls in November.
October 19, 2024 Happy Holidays!
So happy to hear of the new baby! Praise the Lord. Will be praying for Deanna and baby.
I will praying for you and your mother tonight and tomorrow.
You must be so uncomfortable. I will be paying for you.
I am glad so many come here asking for prayer. It is an honor for me to be part of what God is doing here as He hears our prayers and calls others to pray for the requests here. He will answer each request in the best way according to His will and purpose.
I hope matters are proceeding well concerning your parents. I continue to pray for you and them.
And you are right, there has not been much topical discussion here lately with the exception of Jesse's postings and that of Bennymjke. I know that God does direct all of creation sovereignly and that He will bring to this forum what He wishes according to the timing He determines. I do think that it may be a good thing for some of us to make notes and list possible topics we may wish to be discussed and lay them before the Lord. We can think over these topics over days and not just as an immediate response to what someone posts. We should definitely pray for God to reveal to us what or how we are to introduce as a topic of discussion. I am confident that God is using this forum for so many good things and we are building each other up daily in our participation. Blessings to you tonight. Talk with you tomorrow.
Surveying this page for the last 24 hours or so there is mostly prayer requests as contrasted with most times when there are commentaries on subjects with threads as the most common posting. I can relate to the individual with pressures taking care of his mom since both my parents are in their nineties; one physically in bad health and the other with dementia. It seems with many other prayers there are comments of witchcraft or general exhaustion because of the times we are living in. I would disagree with the statement that we are in the Tribulation however yet.
The desire for revival must be placed in balance with the understanding as others have brought out of the state of the church today. It is hard for those who are the remnant faithfully witnessing today to find a church for someone to attend quite often; as many who are faithful witnessing have a home church which in many cases may be the best thing today if after genuine effort no suitable place can be found with correct doctrine and showing love for the saints which the Lord expects of His people in fellowship.
It is HIS church; of course not our own invention and He stands at the door and knocks ( Rev. 3:20). This would be written to the individual in the lukewarm church as well as to anyone heeding the call of His soon return. The gates of hell cannot prevail against His true people ( Matt. 16:18). These days it is evident who is "on fire" in the Lord and who isn't; just listen to conversations before a church service to confirm that. I actually told a sister in the Lord that my struggles and her prayers along with that of a few others was actually making them stronger and to their benefit. We should be fighting spiritual warfare in our individual lives avoiding sin as well as pleading for others. If we seek Him we will find the victory as He has overcome the world. We do well to remember that fact because we are in the time of great falling away and apostacy.
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I deserve to pay my own sin debt, but I do believe that You died for my sins and to pay the debt that I owe. Today, the best I know how, I trust You as my Saviour. I will depend on You from this moment on for my salvation. Amen.
Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, Do not let the lying devil tell you got plenty of time. Today, is the time to ask the Lord, right now today.. Now, if you will trust Jesus Christ as your Savior, pray this simple prayer from your heart:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I deserve to pay my own sin debt, but I do believe that You died for me to pay the debt that I owe. Today, the best I know how I trust You as my Savior. I will depend on You from this moment on for my salvation. Amen. Don't let the devil trick you out of eternity. he is a liar!!!!!!
The devil hates God so much, that he is trying to get every soul to go to HELL !!! Because that is where the devil will spend all eternity. God, The Lord loves you. Whosoever calls on the Lord shall be saved!!! Put your name were it says Whosoever, that is you and me and all the rest that called on the Lord. We all got save the same way...
[ COME LORD JESUS]
God loves you so much, God sent His only begotten son to be the perfect sacrifice, righteousness sacrifice, righteousness Blood. To get saved by. There is no other way.
If your answer is anything other than, "Yes I'm absolutely certain that my sins are forgiven and that Heaven will be my home," then this important message is just for you. The Bible teaches that you need to know and believe these things to settle this matter of your eternal destination:
You must accept that you are a sinner.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" ( Romans 3:23). No one is exempt from this indictment. Everyone has sinned. Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." No one is perfect and no one can live up to God's perfect standard. We are sinners by nature.
You must accept that as a sinner you owe a penalty.
"For the wages of sin is death" ( Romans 6:23a). Because of our sin we owe a debt. This debt is a spiritual death or separation from God in the lake of fire known as Hell. Hell is not a figment of someone's imagination or only a figurative term. Hell is very real. It is a literal burning place. It's not a place where you go because your friends will be there and you want to have a good time. It is a dark, lonely, seething, burning place, and it never ends. It continues to burn for all time.
The worst part is, there is nothing you or I can do on our own to avoid it. Outside of Jesus, it is our final destination. If you are depending on your church membership to get you to Heaven, beware; it's not enough. If you pray a lot hoping to get to Heaven, don't depend on that; it's not enough either. Even if you give a lot of money to a church, it's not enough to gain Heaven. The word "believe" means to trust, to depend on, to rely on. To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ means that you accept the fact that you are a sinner, that as a sinner you owe the sin penalty, and that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and arose again on the third day to pay the debt you owe.
The sword of the Lord in the Bible is a symbolic representation of God's Word and the final battle against evil
The sword is a symbol of power, protection, authority, strength, and courage. The idea of the sword of the Spirit is that the Bible is a weapon to defend against evil and to demolish strongholds of error and falsehood.
Revelation 19:15
Describes the returning King of kings and Lord of lords using the sword of the Lord to "strike down the nations"
Acts 4:12
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
King James Version (KJV)
COME LORD JESUS
As we look at what is going on in the world and in the churches and congregations today, what do we see?
We see a world where sin, i.e. disobedience to God's law, is and has been multiplying as never before.
We see churches and congregations exhibiting a love for the world as the worship service has become a place for entertainment. And an abandonment of the Bible, the Word of God, as being the ultimate authority; where the church itself is the authority and not the Bible. We see a gospel being proclaimed where man is in control of their salvation and not God alonea do-it-yourself gospel where Christ has done His part and now it's up to us.
So where are we in God's time table of His plan for the churches and the world?
We are, I believe, living in the period describe in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, the Great Tribulation. A period where God's judgment has fallen upon the churches as we read in 1 Peter 4:17 and 2Thessalonians 2:1-12. And where God is preparing the world for His return on the clouds of glory at the Last Day.
It is also a time where God is reveling truth from His Word, the Bible, that has been hidden in times past as we read in Daniel 9 and Daniel 12.
Daniel 12:9 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
But God, in this time, is saving a "great multitude" as we read in Revelation 7:9. Ezekiel 36:24-38, Jeremiah 29, Jeremiah 30 and many other passages which are pictures of God's salvation during this time.
If there were ever a time where we should be searching the scriptures and praying that God in His mercy might lead us into truth, this is that time.
But we must search the scriptures using the principles that God lays down in His Word. A key principle is that Christ is the author of the entire Bible and that He "spoke in parables, and without a parable spake He not" Matthew 13:34 and Mark 4:34.
May God in His mercy open our spiritual ears as we search the scriptures.
Acts 14:23 - And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
The word "commended" is actually a banking term. It means to make a deposit in the bank. And the term "believed" is a Perfect Tense, speaking of the Lord upon whom they have believed.
So, they have been believers for quite some time. And what they were doing was they were saying we appointed elders. Now you are ready to have leaders in your church. You been walking with the Lord for a while now.
And they deposited, (those who had believed in the Lord, those who had trusted in the Lord), they deposited to the Lord and basically said "We're leaving, and we are committing you to Him.
Acts 15:1 - And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Verse 1 tells us that certain men came down from Judaea. That little phrase "from Judaea" tells us that these people came into town and presented themselves as officials, representatives of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is in Judaea. They were Jewish. They were legalists. And they come into town up in Antioch.
And secondly, they taught. But in the Greek text, it is an Imperfect Tense which means they were continuously teaching. This was a "campaign." It was a campaign where Judaizers came into Antioch, and they were continuously teaching one message.
And they were teaching the brethren, and they said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. That's what they were spreading. "You can believe in Jesus as Messiah all you want to, but if you're not circumcised"
And there's even some that went as far to say to keep the law, and you have to become a Jew. You have to become a Jew in order to be saved. You cannot be saved unless you're circumcised. That's what they were saying.